Variety (May 1936)

^Tednesdajf May 6, X936 PI c t E G S S E S VARfETr ti and tomique Unit Smash Combo at $34,000; 'January $2S,000, lliingsrOiHins to Slow Chicago, May 5. :(Be«t Exploitatrpn: Palace)_ Cun'ent big money- in the loop is being turijeii Iri by the Palace; House is bluntly advertising that the show is intended 'for aidults only;' It consists of 'Ex-Mrs. Brad- ford' and the 'iFolies Comlques' unit. House heads up into Its biggest gross in many months, and rwIU top •Top Hat's' first week at the house despite fact that 'Haf, ran on a straight, picture policy for some nine ■ 3h6ws daily while the com- bination show Is turning in regu- lar tout and five performances daily: ■ Palace tops everything in the Way of exploitation also; Johnny Joseph snatching the bulk of the newspaper spreads plus fact his advertising cOpy on the show had the natives , talking. Estimates for This Week Apollo (:^&K> (1,200; 25-45-65)-- 'Deed^ (Col) (Sd week). Smacked over the competition, last .week for ?10,!^00, and currently holding for third session which should garner hotcha $6,000. Chicago (B&K) (4,000; 35-65-75) —'January* (20th) and stage show* Shirley Temple flicker follows the ^Qur Gang' .kids on'stage last week, which figures as. a bit too much kid BtMfC for this theatre.. Will have tp be satisfied with ?2.6,000, fair, but .not up to. expectations. Okay a,f- ternooh pace but evenings suffer from advdt coriipetltion. Last week .♦13 Hours' (Par) $32,000, okay. Erlanoep (1,200; 55-83r$l.l0-$i.66) ^'Ziegfeld' (MG) (4th weelO. Hoadshow flick holding up with re- . inai.rkable show- of strength. Drop- ping hardly, any at all despite run. Around $10,000 currently, excellent. Last week fine $10,800. Garrick (B&K) (900; 3S-55-65)— •Moon's Home' (Par). Neat enough $t,000 on initial session. Last week ^Singing Kid'. (WB) managed to nab oke $7,200. Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 25-50-40) ^•Gamble with Love' (Col) and vaude. House pepping up with some fast vaude in an effort to combat the Palace. ■ Lifting to satisfying $16,000. Last week 'Paddy O'Day' (20th) $17,300, good. Palace (RKO) (^,500; 35-5B-75"»— 'Bradford '(RKO) and ^Folles Comlques' unit. Pride Of the loop from all angles. BfggeSt^otiey this house has seen in about a year at $34,000:. Last week 'Rhodes' (GB) and Abe Lyman took away, fairish $17,700, Roosevelt (B&K) (1.500; 35-45- 65)—'Petticoat*. (MG) (1st week). Opened oh Saturday (2) and look- ing for pleasant stay. Heading out for $13,000, neat, for; initial gallop. Last week/.'Doctor' (20th). finished second.: half of fortnlgrht's' ride to so-so $8,700. State-Lake (Jones) (2.700; 20-25- 30-40^—'Widow* Monte Carlo' (WB) and vaude. House riding on the right side of the ledger by healthy margin lately, and continues that pace at $14,000. Last week leveled on saihe stride for $13,700 for 'Dammed' (GB>. . United Artists (B&K-UA) (1,700: 35-55-75) — 'Things' (UA) (1st weejc). Opening day above ex- pectations following poor Xew York reports, due to powerful ad- vertising campaign to start flicker Off. faded quickly and doesn't look too hot for initial session. At 513.000. so-so: Last week 'Fauntle- roy (UA) completed three weeks to 18,100, good for final trip, '2 FLAGS,'SOLO IN N,H., STRONG DRAW, 110,200 New Haven, May_ (Beist Exploitation: Po!i) Total (le luxe grosses down some- what currently following last week's heavy, film trade, plus big legit ('Tobacco Road') business at Shu- bert. 'Xw'b Flags' having things pretty much its own way this week. College trying a revival bill with ^ results favorable. Paramount'.s two i*eceiit .slnn;e t'-ie.s were snt'sractory enough to bring in a third, CnU Calloway. Friday (8) and house is oiokering for two more. Exploitation a one-houpe affair this Week. Poll being the hou.se. yplurged on 'Two Fl.oss' 24-aheet.«. spotting them around town, on slrlo of thoatre and on lobby floor. Wont hoavy on heraldfi distributed tlii-ouRhout Yale, inserted in mags. <'tc-.. used a 10-day national ad cam- P-'iltrn, with heavy news spare: tr.ailers. menus, window cards, etc.. 'jacked up by air pro.arram.';. Estimates for This Week Parampunt- (M&P) (2,34S: 55-50) 7-Moon's Our Home' (Par) and J"'ut Fpnre; (Par). Building to oko 57,200. Last week 'Big Brown Eyes* (PSlt) and Benny Meroff on stage drew $8,800, satisfactory, but no wow.- Poll (Loew) (3,040; 35-50)— 'Under Two Flags' (20th). -Week- end ropes lip for this as a single, big $10,200 on the way. Last week 'Capt. January' (20th). and 'Coun- try Beyond'. .(2pth) reached * hefty $9,500. Roger Sherman (WB) (2,200; 35- 50)—-Times Sq. Playboy' (WB) and '1,000 Candles' (Rep). House cut- ting to five -days to. swing back to Thursday openings. Having a bat- tle to reach moderate $3,800. Last week 'Married a Dr.' (WB) and 'Man Hunt' (WB), at $5,800, okay. .College (Loew) (1,585; 25-35)— •Big House' (MG) and 'Dancing Lady' (MG). Loew trying thls^ re- vival bill in several N.E. spots, fair re;3ults here; $3,500, average week- Last .week 'Bohemian Girl' (MG) and local 'Town Topics' on stage landed a smash $5,200, largely due to home town response on revUe. House goes roadshow for 'Zlegfeld' (MG) opening Friday (8) at $1.50 top; TOP TOO MUCH FORINDPLS. Indianapolis, May 5. (Best Exploitation: Loew's) Duke Ellington's band and 'Coun- try Beyond,* are a strong cai'd at the vaudfilm Lyric this week, and indications point to a dandy $11,000. Roadshow, IGreat Zlegfeld,* at Loew'sl, is encountering the usual stubbornness of the natives toWard $1.5Q price foi- films. 'Married a Doctor' is faring mod- erately well at-tiie Apollo with $4,100 In view ^s. a result of the lessened conipetltion with the de luxe Indiana closed and with Loew's opei'atlng at roadshow price scale. Circle will also benefit a trifle from the sit- uation by garnering around $3,800 on dual of. 'Till We Meet Again' and 'Rhodes.' Exploitation honors were won by Loew's with its campaign on 'Zieg- feld.' An elaborate premiere with state and city officials in attendance, a radio broadcast from the lobby carrying comments of those who saw the opening performance, co-op department store ads. distribution of pamphlets. " paper matches, rulers, blotters, etc. stimates for This Week Apollo. (Fourth Ave) (1,100; 25^ 40).—'Married a Doc' <WB). Bit above average at $4,100. Last week 'January' (20th) in. Its second week did $3,800, good for holdover. Circle (Monarch) (2,600: 25-40)— 'Meet Again* (Par) on twin bill, with 'Rhodes' (GB). Grossing $3,800. mild. Last week, dual of 'Witness Chair' (RKO) and 'Bridle Path' (RKO) very weak at $2,8.00. Loew's (Loew's) (2.800; 55-83- $1.10-$1.50)—'Ziegfeld' (MQ). Road- show run on two-a-day basis at upped scale. Results are satisfac- tory, without being anything extra. Last week dual of 'Deeds' (Col) and 'Intrigue' (Col) did $7,500 on .25-40 scale, which was okay. Lyric (Olson) (2,000; 25-30-40)— 'Countrv Beyond' (20th) and Elling- ton band. Latter responsible for big $11,000. Last wock ' layboy' (WB) and vaude $7,500, okay. 'FLAGS' TOPS PROV. BY 2^T0-1 AT $15,000 Providfnc-o. ^la.v (Best Exploitation: Victory) Fenturod only by fxcfU^rit busi- ness at Loew' ', where 'riuU-r Two Flags' is playing on a soj" bill, grosses tiiis wock aro ncjlliin.',' to rave about. Plonty of ar-tlviiy among Mi" hall.vh'xi .arti.-'t.s. but swell woallifM- couplod with oponin:; of racing season at Xarra.gansctt Park and just s(>-s'> liills. snro to cut In on the box oflicc. Loew's ))'ici it for a nico $li>,non, outdisLancin.tr all comers by almost a two^to-onc Tii.irgin. About i.b<- closest ■ thing v.-ill b? the Albeo. v/hcrc 'lleturn of. Jimmy \alcntanc and stag'' fhow are likely to bring in around $«,oon. , . . Strands twin bill. 'RhrMics ao'l ■Mollis Our Home,' ju-sL na-v.i- along as Is the Majestic dunler. •'Times Square Playboy- and 'I Mar- ried a Doctor.' > For dollar value. Fay's , is about the only stand, excepting Loew's, that is doing well, 'Country Beyond' on. screen and vaudeville netting ai'^ound $7,000, good coin for this sppt. RKO Victory ohce again in first- run fold sporting full-week program with 'Frankle and Johnnie' and 'Frisco waterfront' as the attrac- tions.- While house put on a dandy campaign plugging 'Frankle'. esper daily, business seenris to be in the dOldrums, Victory stafl; not the only ones out strong this week,- All the boys worked hard, and town was loaded with all. kinds of stunts. Loew's and Albee press agentS; burned the midnight Oil putting things over, but Victory takes th^ nod not so much becaiuise campaign was brilliant or original, but largely, because Victory is seldoha in the limelight, and even a stereotyped campaign is bound to attract at- tention. Aside from the routine stuff house resorted to stunt of dressing up couple In freak cos- tumes, ■ and having them parade about at Narragansett 'Park and Other congested spots. Lobby util- ized for special display; radio transcriptions, and special windows were , included. Estimates for This Wee.k Loew's State (3,200; 15-25-40)— 'Two Flags' (20th). First single bill house' has had i^i weeks; off to grand start and ^yith help of holi- day prices on Monday (4). week Eihould wind up with at least $15,000. Last week 'Garcia' (20th) and 'Panic* (Col) closed stronger than anticipated at $9,000, but not good for thiia stand. . RKO Albee (2,500; 15-25-4())— 'Valentine' (Rep) and 'Redheads and Blondes! unit. Third week of stage shows and pace is beginning to slacken; nice spring weather and stronger show at. opposish house cutting In, $8,000; tepid. Last week 'Dark Hour' (Chest) and N. T. G. unit; Jitters all week and closed rather weak at $il,000. Fay's (2,000; 15-25-40)—'Country Beyond' (20th) ahd vaudeville. Mov- ing along nicely, with every indica- tion of around $'7,000, oke. Last week 'January' (20th) and vaude- ville. Strong second week at $6;800. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 1^-25-40) —'Married a Doc' (WB) and 'Play- boy* .(WB). Opening not exception- ally strong, but probably $6,500, so- so. Last week 'Yankee* .(20th) and iBrides Like That' (WB) revival dismal at $3,800. Strand (Indie) (2,200; 15-26-40)- 'Rhodes' (GB) and 'Moon's Home' (Par). Opened oke, but falling off. No more than $7,000. 'tepid, and glad to get it. Last, wek 'Desire' (Par) another disappointment at $7,200. RKO Victory (1,600; 15-25)— •Frankle* (Rep) iand 'Frisco Water- front' (Rep); First week of new policy off to poor start. Is'o more than $3,000 in prospect. B way Dull '2 Flags Sole Standout At $95,000; Lombardo with 13 Hours' Nice $35M Bernie Ups'Girl'to (Best Expioitaiion: Paramount) 'Under Two Flags,' at the Music Hall, and ,'13 Hours by Air* at the Par 6re running away from the rest of the. firstr-run, pack, this Week. Business in some of the other spots rather sad. Warm spring weather and dayli.ght saving time arc prob- ably starting to cause , some injur,', with baseball games and racing drawing big cro\yds away from theatres and other iamusements. 'Flags' should do $95,000 or better for the Hall, while '13 Hours,' coupled with the Guy Lombardo or- chestra in person, takes the Par to $35,000 on its first week ending .last night (Tues.). Botli shows hold over. 'Golden. Arrow' will be, fair at a pace that may drive, I'ecelpts to $20,000 .at the Strand, but the bal- ance of the first runs are nothing to talk about in high class grossing comiJany. A second-run. 'Small TOwn Girl,' with the aid of Ben Ber- VALUE - W $26,S0I)IN Luke $3,400 for Chaplin 'Times' in Lincoln, JJJeb. Lincoln, May 5. (.Best Exploitation: Varsity) Strong finisher at the end of the third week, 'Mr. Deeds' was set for a fourth at the Varsity and is. still, doing 1 etter than averag?. Looks like a record for long staying here. Chaplin's fate in 'Modern Times' at the Stuart is still in doubt, al- though the beginning wasn't too strong. He'll finish over average, however. Lincoln is doing the best it'.s pver done with a Jolson picture in 'Singing Kid' and the Orpheum, its vaude bolstered by cool weather, is still In the money. Colonial, which was leased by George D. Monroe, is being readied tor opening about May 10. Estimates for This Week Liberty (LTC) (l.COO; 10)—'For the Service' (C) plus tlip beginning of serial, 'Flash Gordon' (D and 'Return of Chandu' (Principal) plu.s 'Hitch Hike Lady; (Ren), split. Run- ning c:ocd with $1,000 in sight. Last week 'Lucky Terror' OJivorj plus 'Horse Ploy' (C) and 'Drake' (I-'D) plus 'Java' (U), split, around $1,100, very nice. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-:0-25)— 'Singin' Kid' (WB). Startt^d off well and will get close to $'.'.000 on the wock, something like the old time .Tolson ficfurc.-. and oka^'. Last v.foli 'Pasteur' (WB) stayed eight days and clipped out, a $2,800 take, pleas- antly stead.v b.o. Orpheum (LTC) (l..*}50; 10-1.-)-20- ?5)—'Love on Bc'l' (RKO) j)lus three days of stage show featuring Blur- Stcelfi band. Weather breaking cool IS helping housp hold vaude. which it probably will until tln' latter jjart of .MaV. Following four days i.« dual 'O'Day' (Lfith). plu.« 'Blood (\V ). and llio wocU i'* rrov/dini; onto S'.'.TOfi. nice. Lnst wcpk '.Son^' and Dam-f" (2<Jt.\i) plus tlio Howes aniH. ff)llf>wod by "Xo .Merc.-v' COdi) plu.'J •C'fllJni' (f A.» g<;t $L'..',()0. wiiioh reoresciils vaude weaknt-ss. , Stuart (LTC) (l.HOO; ](.-2.-,-4d) — 'Modt'rn Times' (I'A). Chaplin st.artfd off indifferently and i» not looked to bring more than $;;.40(i. Lflsi ^\vr-k 'Wife- vs. Sfc' (}.HU staved for oight da.vs and did a clirib to $4.'.00, vf-ry gnr'd. Var itv (Westland) (.l.l'iO; 10-':()- "r,..lO)—'Deeds' (Col) (4(li v;»-H:). Pj-oij.-ibly $l.C(iii, cs-wUoiitk Did $1. '.10y lusu week. Washington, May 5. (Best Exploitation: Earle) When ' it isn't raining,, iVs too sunny. Result is lowest total gross In weeks and for the boys on the bottom it's brutal. Even Rudy Vallee's p.a., which is leading^ town In gross, bids to be under other re- cent personals. Prize disappointment Is 'Witness Chair.' wfhlch Is being yanked at Keith's today (5) with lowest figure for five-day run hoiisc has siastalned in two "yeai's. Ann Harding Is usually big here and piO opened big, but film nosedived the following day. 'Ecstasy,' which Was kiiided. by the critics, woiind up.last week with record figure that tripl<?d house average. Slipping this week as word gets around that it's 1% sex and 99% art, but should get by nicely- Other heartbroaker Is 'Lonesome Plnei* for which critics went the limit, but is scarcely bettering "usual second week figure In debut at ace straight pic spot. Top bally honors go to Earle for selling Bowes' ams on stage with reception by city fathers and shows for orphans that cracked papers wide open. Estimates for This Week Fox (Loew) (3,424; 25-33-60)—- l-nguarded Hour' (MG) and Rud>' \'a)lee band. Combo easily leading town, but 520.500, not up to antlcl- l)atlons. Last^ week 'Moon's Home' (Par) can thank Ray Noble p.a, for bi.!,' $25,000. Earle <WB) (2.424; 25-35-40-00- 70)—'Golden Arj'ow' < WB) and Bowes' unit. Critics' raps "on pic offsetting nice campaign on Bettc Dnvlfi. Ams do.servf Credit for oke $17,500, Last week 'Married a Doe' (WB) and Bill Robinson on stag'" took good $].S.0O0. Palace (Loew/ <?..']r,?,: 25-;{3-C0)~ 'l^ine' (Par). Xicolv received by critics, but cu.^tomers giving it the cold shoulder. .Light $Vi,.00«, I.a.st. week 'ThinK«' tl'A) miuldlf-d throuprh with flop $0,000. , Keith'3 (RKO) (l.SSO; 2.^-3'.-C0)- 'Wltnoss Chair' (RKO), Opened bi;: on strength of Ann Harding .ihd then hit eePar. Conies out today v.lth .VJ.'jftO, lowest figure for Jive- day run In two year;. T.a^.t week •i'ankee' (20lh) toolv pjissablM j:7,00U Cor first i'evivul on malnstern. Met, (V/Rj ( LHTi?,: ' 5-JO)—'Deeds' K'ol) (2d run). ifoidln.s' up to beauiK'iil- .?7.rj00. Last week pie broke hen'-e ree<>i'd will) S'J.OOi). Colirmbia (Loev.-) (\J,H';: 2.'!-40) — •Doelor' (20tl)) (I'd run). Headed for fair JS.noO after oke v.-eek at Fox. Ijm St week ' J-'fi li n t leroy' (I 'A) ' re - l>eat .'jJ!iei- big week .'it Fox took t,'ood $4.rj()0. i Relanco dladin') (l.UiO; i.'-. o-.",0- I 00)—T'^CStasV (Kurek.-n. Klii)plnr; 'after sfnsiiion'il opener, but hcc- ! ond y. f oU Kl'oold net big . .■i..fl00. Last I V.eek t.rlp'ed liouse avej-a^e niid set r.er-onl t)hiying eight shows fi da.v for $11.ion. National (I.egit) (1.700: r»0-7.'>-Sl- S1..',0)--5'ie'^fe-l' (MCi CSi] week). SlliUK-d but closed with oke ?10,000. nie orchestra, at: the State, will be up with 'FIa:gs' and '13 Hours' for a share of the big money. State Will ehd up at around .$3(),000. 'Big Brown, ..teyes' not able to vamp 'em ihtor the Capitol; lucky to go over $12,000. bad.' Another that's getting no place Is 'Connectir cut Yankee' (reissue), which dips the Roxy to $2O,O00, worst .showing the house has made in.many months. Ar- thur Mayer bi^ought 'Absolute Quiet' into the Rlaltb Friday- (1) but pulled it after, three days when learning Metro had booked, it i'nto several Loew dual-billers the first half of this week.. 'Quiet', did only ?3,5bt> for the Rialto' on its three day.., 'Three on a Trail' replacing Monday (4). Latter started off Well. RKO slipped a first rim Into the Palttco on a dual bill, 'Times Square Play- boy," which Is ,alsO playing the Strand, rooklyn, this week.' 'Play- boy,' with 'Message to Garcia,' niay get aronnd, $9,000, fajr. Over at th Center another bites the dust, with 'Country Beyond' at ohiy $7,- 50O on the week ending last night (Tues.). 'Champagne Charlie' was brought in on a pi-evlew last jpight. 'Great Zle^eld' continues n sell- out at the Astor, last Saturday (2) at the midnight show again playing to standing rOom. Third week*- take equalled that of the secon week, $17,900, very big. Paramount extended Itself in,sell- ing '13 Hours' and the .Lombardo pit show, with results at the box oftice partly credited to ■ the good cam- paign put on. Advance trailer on .13 Honrs* was one of the best ever devised by Par or anyone else. It was along rather original lines. Estimates for This Week Astor (1,012; 65-$l.l6-$1.65-$2:20) — Zlegfeld' (MG) (4th weekj. A giant among roadshow attractions, with third week's business coming within dollars of equalling tiic. sec- ond, $17,900. In'for the entire sam- mer, with 'Romeo and Juliet' (MgI pointing' to succeed it hei-e some* lime in the fall. Capitol (4,62U; 25-35-55-S5-$1.25) —'Big Brown Kyes' (Par;. No go at all, $12,000 or under, very pOor. Last week *Capt. January' (20th;, Shirley Temple starrer, around $^5,o 000, fair proilt but dlsappointingr for a Temple picture. 'Till We Meet Again' (Par;, comes Irt l<Wday (&). Center (3*625; ' 25-35-65-Sf5-$l,l0) ^'Country Beyond' (20th), Kort.i country di'arna. got the chill here, only V'.500 on w.eek ending las,; night (Tues.). Predecessor, 'Garcia' (2Dt.h) on third week, under $7,000^- Provlew last night ushered' in 'Champagne Charlie' (20lh). Palace (1,700; 25-35-55)—'Times Square Playboy' ( WB) (1st run) and •'Garcia' (20th) (2d run), dual. Get- ting fair play, maybe ?9,000. Last week 'Singing Kid' (WB) (2d run; and 'Two In Revolt' (RKO) (Ist run), dual, under $9,000. Paramount (3,604; 2u-3C-5.'5)—'13 Hours' (Par) with Guy LonSbardo or- chestra and Oracle Earrle In pit. Starts, second week today (Wed.) after first seven daiys of $35,000. fine takings.. Final four days on third v/eek of 'Desire' (Par) and. In pit, Little Jack Little band, Ethel Merman and Jane Cooper, $18,000,. very good. P.adio City usic Hall (5.989; 40- 00-S.5-99-?1.10-$l.C5) — 'Under Two Flags' (20th) and stage show. Thi.s one isn't going begging at a dip suggesting $95,000 or moi-e on the week, and holds. Last »voek second loi' 'Mr. Deeds' (CoU, $79,200, very, good for a holdovei*. Rialto (750: 25-40-0:')—"Throe on a Trull" (Par). RvrAif-d in htm .Monday (4) after hou.se jerked 'Ab- solute Quiet' (MfJ). due to its book- hig .('.ay-and-date elsewhere In Loew houses. 'Quiet' got only $3,500 on three days, not good. Last weelc 'Special Investigator' (RKO), $:),000, good. Rjvpli (2.092; 40-75-99)—'Thlngfi, to (.'ome' (L'A) (3d v/p.ek). A hard bab.v to hurse, but probiiblv ai'ound $14,000 thia week (.'!d). Second, with weekend take much better compai-atlvely than on week days, $23,000: Goes four days on a foui'lh week, with 'One Rainy Afternoon' (tJA) In Wedne.*:d.'iy morbing'(18). Roxy (5,830; aS^.-JS-."):*) —'Conne*- llcut Yankee" (F''o,x) (relssLe), Old Will Rogei-^? starrer not InterestlrsT .New A'oi-keis: looks only $20.000,. poorest liere In long while. Last week -S\jnaleur (ientleman' .fUA)^ S24..'iOO. weak but euoijglv to provide, a little profit. ".I>et"s SIn« Agaln^ (RKO) comes in Friday. J8), Strand (2.767: 33-5r»-6.j-Rri)— 'Colden Arrow' (WF.T. :\ray get ur» to S2l).00() on week, fair enough, but t)robably not meriting holdover. Last we"k, second for 'I Mnrried ,* Doctor" (WK), S12.200. we.'ik, State i-iA'!<)'. S.'i-.'ir,.?"!.)—'Small Town Girl' (SUi) and Ben Bcrnie oreheslra on stage. Rernle draught as.sertitig llsj-lf for week that looka r ft(!(i. t,'ood. Last week 'These Three' (I'A) and the Cal> CaIlo»\ay band, $3(,.:00, excellenU I